An Unfortunate Situation (redux)

It was well past midnight. The school had been on high alert lately, considering students going missing and the increased crime rate in the city. He figured this would likely be his last chance at reviewing the school's history records and any thing else that might help him with his search. Of course, recently a new problem had arisen: the theft and torture of mortal souls. He had no choice but to make this new situation priority. While much worse could occur were he to fail his main objective, even he had to admit that he had not turned up results in quite some time.

A pounding headache surfaced for mere moments, causing him to lose his concentration. His mind had still not fully recovered from that just a few days ago. It was difficult even for him to recall many of the security codes and passwords he had been able to hack into the past few times he was here. This slowed his progress considerably, but he was still confident that he would be able to look through the files in peace tonight. After all, with the school being more alert they enforced the after-hours policy much more strictly. Which meant as long as he was not caught in the halls he would likely not be disturbed.

Well.. in theory.

The only light in the room came from several of the monitors belonging to the computers he was using to hack his way into the academy's main database. Student records, financial information, all was contained within. But that did not interest him in the least. What he needed was history. Strange occurrences. Anything of note would surely have been recorded, perhaps even hidden away as documentation that the school did not want others to ever find. These were the things he needed. Speculations, rumors, witness statements, unexplained events. Anything of that sort could prove useful.

D'oh! Caught! He didn't have enough time to react to the situation before she saw his face, not that it truly mattered. It would not have been unlike him to be chased after fleeing anyways. She knew his name, not that this was at all surprising. Most of the staff had known him anyways, and if they didn't before they did now thanks to the posters that man had been spreading around. Truly, it was very over-dramatic. Not that he was at all in the right to claim something as overdramatic.

He had never seen this woman before. "Indeed you are correct. My sincere apologies, m'lady. However -" As soon as he stood up to turn to her he paused. Something was off about this woman. "Ahem. However, I am pleased to report that it is my belief I have found exactly what it was I have been looking for." He looked her in the eyes now. "You may refer to me as Alistair, m'lady. However, I must admit ignorance to your name. Judging by your appearance and demeanor one would infer you are employed by this academy, no? In such a case this situation is surely to become rather awkward, for more reasons than one. In case you are new and unaware, typical protocol for staff in the event of a trespassing stranger is to avoid contact as much as possible while contacting the authorities." He smiled. "Though I find no one ever follows that protocol. I believe I read that it was created decades ago."

Despite being caught, he certainly did not appear to in any way be aggravated or otherwise concerned. If anything he looked intrigued.

He took immediate notice of her slight gesture towards what lay behind her, and judged from not only that movement but the slight change in her emotions that there was at least one other outside of the room. A group preparing to surprise him, perhaps? He couldn't be sure, but if that was indeed the plan she blew it by that slight, perhaps subconscious, gesture. "Very well, Yin. It is a pleasure to meet you." He gave a low, formal and graceful bow.

Well then, she simply told him about the stranger outside anyways. Likely it wasn't meant as some sort of surprise attack, then. "I completely agree with your logic, Yin, for if I am truly someone whose presence endangers the students, you have done the correct thing by placing yourself in front of me. And using your little buddy system is sure to impress me further." He smiled. Despite his strange words he continued with his formal, forward tone. If he were lying or in any way trying to deceive her, he was surely doing a good job at hiding it.

In a slow, nonchalant motion he pressed a single button on the keyboard of the computer next to him, and instantly the screen went black, along with every other computer in the room. "I have caused no permanent damage to the systems, but it will take a short while to get them fully up and running again. You can keep this room closed for the next day while the technicians work on it. This way, no student stumbles upon the information I was searching for. Surely such a thing would be unfortunate."

At this point he turned around and faced one of the windows. "I think perhaps I should take my leave now. I do not wish to intrude further. If you would like to hit the alarm on the wall next to you, it is recommended you do so now, before I am beyond the grounds. This way you cannot be scolded for not attempting to restrain me." He looked back at her with a smile on his face yet again.

Oh? Shadows? This was certainly getting interesting. He was expecting the woman to have some sort of means of restraining him, and theorized many possible situations that he could encounter, but in all honesty shadow control was not something he had considered. But he really was not not that surprised, for he had not actually expected to easily get away this time. Not when one with Celestial blood had confronted him. And not only that, but there was someone else here, too. Not a person he recognized, but despite the small stature he knew well not to underestimate him. He had encountered beings far smaller that were even more dangerous.

As soon as the shadows appeared he needed to make a quick decision. Did he try to escape, or allow the woman to capture him in hopes of making good with the school? While originally he had good reason not to get directly involved with the academy's affairs, the situation had changed lately and it was likely impossible to avoid the involvement of the institution. He had neglected to bring his sword along with him, purposely for a situation such as this one. She finally was able to realize what he was, which was what truly made him stay.

"Them?" He quoted. "You speak as if you and I are on different sides." He shrugged, simply allowing her shadow tendrils to grab him, making no effort whatsoever to escape.